Some Tips on Getting Some Last-Minute Help on Taxes

As the deadline for filing your tax returns approaches, here are some last-minute reminders to make the process go smoother:

- The deadline for filing is midnight Monday the 17th, not Saturday the 15th. That means you have all day Monday to file. Many post offices throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties will be open until midnight Monday, with some of the larger offices offering curbside services. Mail received at those locations by midnight will receive an April 17 postmark, officials say.

In Los Angeles County, you can find out which post offices are open late in your area by calling the U.S. Postal Service's hot line at (213) 586-1467. It will be available until midnight Monday. Unfortunately, similar hot line numbers are not available for Orange and San Diego counties, but you can call the main post office in your city until 5 p.m. Monday for more information, suggests Postal Service spokesman John Conte.

- The IRS' toll-free help line, (800) 424-1040, is offering extended hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday. IRS walk-in offices will not be open Saturday but will offer normal hours on Monday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tax forms will be available at those IRS walk-in offices. Photocopies of forms can also be made at larger public libraries.

- If you need more time, file Form 4868 to get a four-month extension. To qualify for the extension, however, you still must estimate what you owe and pay the remainder of any unpaid balance.